Cost of Giving Birth in the Philippines 2022 | Price of Normal and Caesarean Delivery, Ultrasound and Epidural cost
Babies and children are just some of the purest joys that life can offer. But if you’re not prepared enough, having a baby can easily drain your finances.
Child-rearing is a responsibility that is not for the faint-hearted; you have to be emotionally and financially ready to guide your child through the ups and downs of life.
In this blog post, we will present to you a sample newborn checklist that outlines the things to prepare before giving birth in the Philippines.
Costs during pregnancy
You’re going to shell out a lot of money as you prepare for the arrival of your bundle of joy.
You have to go through numerous check-ups, ultrasounds and supplements to take care of you and your baby’s health.
In addition, you have to buy maternity clothes and baby essentials such as clothes, a crib, accessories, bottles, toys, stroller, carrier and so forth.
Pregnancy check-up prices may vary depending on the healthcare provider. Prices start at ₱500 and can go higher if you go to a private clinic. You also have to factor in the frequency of your visits, which will depend on your doctor.
How much is an ultrasound in the Philippines? A standard ultrasound will cost ₱500 and up while 3D and 4D ultrasounds range from ₱1,500 to ₱4,000. Some local governments and foundations sponsor free ultrasound testing from time to time so be sure to check them out.
Maternity packages for 2022 in the Philippines can range from ₱45,000 in public hospitals to ₱300,000 in private hospitals.
Other costs include vitamins & supplements (starts at ₱5,000) and maternity clothes (budget at ₱1,000).
Cost of Giving Birth
After nine months, it’s time to finally meet your baby!
Normal delivery costs in the Philippines for 2022 will depend on your healthcare provider and your insurance or HMO. Prices can be cheaper in public hospitals and lying-in clinics, but there can be limitations to the services they can provide in unfortunate cases that complications occur during labor or delivery.
Of course, it is more expensive to give birth in private hospitals, so be prepared to spend at least ₱25,000 just for the delivery! That does not yet include doctor’s fees, medications, maternity room, and other add-ons.
Epidural cost in the Philippines ranges from ₱25,000 to ₱40,000.
In some cases, your doctor may recommend that you undergo a cesarean section. This is recommended in cases where there is a breech, obstructed labor, fetal distress and others. Of course, a c-section is more expensive than a normal delivery. Prices start at ₱80,000 and can go upwards to ₱300,000 if you’re going to avail a c-section package from a high-end hospital.
You can avail of maternity packages if you want to spread out the costs of giving birth. These packages are available in public and private hospitals. It usually includes professional fees, medications, delivery room charges and a private room.
Here is a table showing the estimated price of maternity packages from some hospitals in Metro Manila.
The estimated price of maternity packages
| Hospital | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Philippine General Hospital | ₱45,000 - ₱60,000 |
| Marikina Valley Medical Center | ₱50,000 (normal delivery) |
| Makati Medical Center | ₱80,000 (standard delivery) ₱125,000 - ₱250,000 (c-section) |
| St. Lukes Medical Center | SLMC QC: ₱60,000 - ₱80,000 (normal delivery) ₱100,000 - ₱300,000 (c-section) SLMC BGC: ₱101,000 - ₱165,000 |
| Capitol Medical Center | ₱20,000 - ₱30,000 (normal delivery) ₱35,000 (c-section) |
If you have an insurance policy or you are a Philhealth member, your expenses can be reduced depending on your coverage.
Others opt to apply for loans such as SSS maternity benefits, Pag-ibig Multi-purpose Loans, or opt for banks and online lending apps like UnaCash.
Post-natal costs
After you give birth, your baby will have to undergo a newborn screening test. This is to ensure that your baby does not have health problems that may become serious if undiagnosed. This is done 24 hours after the birth of your child.
A newborn screening has three parts: blood test, hearing test and pulse oximetry test.
In hospitals, basic screening tests cost around ₱550 while expanded screening tests cost around ₱1,500. If you are a Philhealth member, the amount covered for newborn screening is ₱2,950. This includes costs for Vitamin K, eye ointment, hepatita B and BCG vaccine, expanded newborn screening test, newborn hearing screening test, and professional fees.
Newborn checklist in the Philippines
Before bringing your baby home, you must have prepared all of the essentials like clothes, baby care products, bottles, crib, stroller, accessories and a vaccination record.
Here is a table showing the estimated costs of baby essentials.
| ITEM | BUDGET |
|---|---|
| Baby Clothes & Accessories | ₱5,000 |
| Crib | ₱1,000 to ₱3,000 (can be cheaper or more expensive depending on the brand |
| Stroller | ₱3,000 (can be cheaper or more expensive depending on the brand |
| Baby Feeding Bottles | ₱1,000 |
| Bottle Sanitizer | ₱1,000 |
| Toys | ₱1,000 |
| Vaccinations | BCG ₱1,500 to ₱2,000 Hepa B ₱1,500 Pentavalent or 5-in-1 ₱3,000 to ₱3,500 Rotavirus ₱2,500 to ₱3,000 Pneumonia ₱4,000 to ₱5,000 Measles/MBO ₱1,000 to 1,300 Chickenpox ₱1,500 and below Flu Shot ₱1,300 to ₱1,500 |
| Formula | ₱750 (S-26) to ₱2,600 (Gain) |
* prices are estimates from cheapest to most expensive but can be higher or lower depending on the brand and outlet/store
FAQs
1. Can I use my husband’s Philhealth coverage for maternity expenses?
Yes, you and your baby can benefit from your husband’s Philhealth coverage as dependents.
2. What is the water birth price in the Philippines for 2022?
Water birth suites in the Philippines cost ₱100,000 to ₱120,000. You can avail of this service from St. Lukes Global City and Makati Medical Center.
3. How much is ultrasound in the Philippines?
In the Philippines, a standard ultrasound can cost ₱500 while a 4D ultrasound can cost up to ₱4,000.
4. What is the painless normal delivery cost in the Philippines for 2022?
A painless normal delivery includes giving the mother epidural anesthesia during labor. Prices range from ₱25,000 to ₱40,000 depending on your needs.
5. Can I use my Philhealth for my pregnant wife’s expenses?
Yes, you can use your Philhealth coverage for your pregnant wife’s expenses.
6. What is the most expensive hospital in the Philippines?
Expensive hospitals in the Philippines include St. Lukes, Makati Med, Cardinal Santos, etc.
7. Will my insurance policy cover the cost of my delivery?
Depending on your insurance policy and inclusions, your insurance may be able to cover the costs of your delivery and hospitalization. Be sure to check with your financial advisor as soon as you find out you're pregnant.
Conclusion
Having a baby is a goal of many but can definitely be expensive. Be sure that you have prepared enough finances to be able to survive this one-of-a-kind experience. In cases that costs are higher than your budget, you can always opt to apply for a credit line in UnaCash to help you make payments lighter through flexible installment terms.
Written by: Alyssa Divina | Edited by: Karla Maolen Visbal
